duct

1 of 2

noun

ˈdəkt 

1

: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland

2

a

: a pipe, tube, or channel that conveys a substance

b

: a pipe or tubular runway for carrying an electric power line, telephone cables, or other conductors

3

: a tube or elongated cavity (such as a xylem vessel) in plant tissue

4

: a layer (as in the atmosphere or the ocean) which occurs under usually abnormal conditions and in which radio or sound waves are confined to a restricted path

ductal

ˈdək-tᵊl 

adjective

ductless

ˈdək(t)-ləs 

adjective

duct

2 of 2

verb

ducted; ducting; ducts

transitive verb

1

: to enclose in a duct

2

: to convey (something, such as a gas) through a duct

also : to propagate (something, such as radio waves) through a duct

Synonyms

Noun

• channel
• conduit
• leader
• line
• penstock
• pipe
• trough
• tube

Examples of duct in a Sentence

Noun

air ducts to provide ventilation

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For instance, in a furnace the pilot light ignites a larger burner at the beginning of a heating cycle, then the heat produced by the burner is distributed throughout the home by an internal fan and a series of ducts and vents. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2024

Before the first freeze moves in, Coloradans should have their home evaluated for leaky ducts, drafts around doors and windows, fireplace dampers and other areas where air might escape. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

Duct size and compatibility: Matching the exhaust fan's duct size and type with your existing ductwork or ventilation system can reduce the need for additional ductwork modifications or adapters. —Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2023

The board approved the purchase of items needed for educating during the coronavirus, including $200,000 for HVAC ultraviolet disinfectant emitters for A /C units and duct microbial control and $150,000 for COVID-19 testing that provides results in about 24-36 hours. —Savannah Mehrtens, Houston Chronicle, 12 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin ductus, from Medieval Latin, aqueduct, from Latin, act of leading, from ducere to lead — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing duct

• bile duct
• collecting duct
• duct tape
• ejaculatory duct
• pancreatic duct
• seminal duct
• thoracic duct
• Wolffian duct

Kids Definition

duct

noun

ˈdəkt

1

: a tube or vessel carrying a bodily fluid (as the secretion of a gland)

2

: a pipe, tube, or channel through which a fluid (as air or water) flows

ductless

ˈdək-tləs

adjective

Etymology

Noun

from scientific Latin ductus "tube or vessel from a gland," from Latin ductus "aqueduct," from earlier ductus "act of leading" — related to aqueduct, dock entry 3

Medical Definition

duct

noun

ˈdəkt 

: a bodily tube or vessel especially when carrying the secretion of a gland